THE ELECTIONS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 523, 7 November 1857, Page 4

THE ELECTIONS.

DBCI.AEi.TION OF THB POLL TOB THS SUPEEIJfTENDENCY.

Thia form was gone through at the Town Hall, in Christchurch, on Wednesday last, at noon. There was a good attendance of elector* inside the building, where the ceremony took place. The Returning Officer declared the state of the poll in the different districts, and the total result, in the figures given by us last Wednesday. He then declared Mr. William Sefton Moorhouse duly elected. Mr. Moorhouse then came forward. He could not, he said, give perfect expression to the gratitude which he felt for the position in which the electors of Canterbury had placed him. They had given him a striking mark of their confidence in the choice which had fallen upon him in the election, and that confidence, he trusted, would be continued to him in office to such an extent as to bear with any imperfections which he might exhibit. He could assure the electors that he would always endeavour to merit their approbation; his first care would be to respond to the serious engagements which he had contracted. He thanked the constituencies of the Province for the extremely kind manner in which he had been treated; a kindness which showed itself plainly in the fact that he had never once throughout the contest received a personal affront. This circumstance, together with the large majority by which he had been returned, assured him that he enjoyed the personal confidence of the community. Their confidence — their forbearance—he sincerely trusted would be continued to him, and that thus strengthened in his duties he should prove the choice now made by the electors to be a fortunate one for the colony, and one to do credit to his supporters. He felt highly gratified at the absence of riot during thetcontest; there had been only a fair degree of warmth of feeling expressed. This course, he trusted, would be followed on every succeeding similar occasion, that the conduct of the electors in this province might become a pattern to the rest of the world as it was now to the whole of New Zealand. The electors need not fear that he would not work with any set of gentlemen who might become his advisers. He should mind his own business, and act simply in accordance with the Constitution; thus his-advisers would be held responsible for the policy of his Government; the responsibility of his ministry, if the system were right, should be carried out in its integrity. In conclusion, his present state of health prevented him from giving full expression to his feelings on the present occasion. He was overcome with gratitude. He could only assure the public that personal matters should never weigh with him in the transaction of his duties; ana he hoped that the public, after deliberately choosing him to fill the office of Superintendent, would never condemn his conduct on any occasion without serious consideration. . He begged to conclude with the reiterated expression of *»«

•incere thanks for the honor conferred upon him in his election. (Loud Cheers.) Mr. Bhutan then-came forward. He said his duty on that occasion was simply to bow to the emphatic decision which the province had oxDressed in the election of a Superintendent. Though he was sure that the electors would listen to him patiently if he were to try to explain the causes which had led to his defeat, he would not occupy their attention hy such a course. It was little matter to anyone whether he had misled himself, or had been misled by others. Nor would he talk about the insufficiency of the honours and emoluments of the office in comparison to its anxieties and responsibilities. If he did, he would be told that "the grapes were sour!" Nor would he try to throw the blame upon his friends for being lukewarm, nor to show that pledges had been violated. If he did he would be told that such were the excuses of every defeated candidate. He would, however, explain himself on one point, though it was not immediately connected with the day's proceedings. He had bsen repeatedly solicited, since the election, to allow himself to be put in nomination for a seat in the Council. But he had tTot done so; and his reaBons were: —first, that time did not permit such a course, and that it would appear an indelicate political furor to rush from one contest into another; and again, every constituency in which he could look for support was, as it happened, full of candidates, among whom were several personal friends, whose arrangements it would be an ungrateful return for their support to disturb. Whatever his feelings were with respect to his defeat, and whatever opinions he might hold as to the efficiency of those who held the helm of the state, who were in command of the vessel, he would feel it is duty to stand by the ship. He would now conclude by returning his sincere thanks'to the electors who had supported him throughout the contest. He had made a careful copy and analysis of the recorded votes, and it gave him the greatest gratification to find that those who gave him their support comprised so large a majority of the industry, property, and intelligence of the community. Mr. Brit tan then sat down amid prolonged applause. Mr. Mookhoosb moved and Mr. Brittau seconded a vote of thanks to the Returning Officer, after which the meeting separated.